The Current Status and Problems of the Lake Fund of Asian Russia

Abstract

The results of a quantitative assessment of the lake fund of Asian Russia (AR), taking into consideration the irregularity of its territorial distribution, are presented. Some 3.2 million water bodies containing 25 175 km³ of water have been identified in AR on aerial photographs. More than half of these bodies are located in the Ural Federal District, while lakes of the Far East and Siberian Federal Districts contain the bulk of the water. With the current population density, most of Asian Russia is well-supplied with water resources; the water supply does not exceed 10 000 m³/person per year in only three regions. However, under insufficient wetting conditions, even high water supply values do not guarantee the prevention of a water supply deficit, which is especially clearly manifested in water-deficient years. The low quality of available waters further complicates the situation.

The authors have analyzed data on the environmental changes ongoing in the lake water resources throughout the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. The results of the trophicity and water quality assessments performed for lakes of the three federal districts are provided and the main problems pertaining to adverse changes in lake ecosystems of Asian Russia caused by anthropogenic impacts and requiring prompt resolution are addressed.